A Calgary Flames-logo bearing baseball cap and fresh towel awaited Miikka Kiprusoff when he left the ice following Tuesday’s Calgary Flames practice.

Kiprusoff, the embattled Flames netminder who’s been the backbone of the franchise for nearly a decade, put the towel around his neck and donned the cap.

But, the goalie with trade rumours swirling around him – including word the Toronto Maple Leafs had received permission to talk to his representatives and even directly to him – refused to shed any light on whether he’s interested in being moved before Wednesday’s trade deadline (1 p.m.).

“I’m here getting ready for next game. I’m not going to talk about any trade stuff or any rumours,” said Kiprusoff, whose contract runs through the 2013-14 season.

Whether that next game will be the Flames clash with the Edmonton Oilers Wednesday night (8 p.m., Sportsnet West) or elsewhere with the Maple Leafs or another team remains to be seen.

The netminder no longer has a no-trade clause in his contract, but reportedly said he wouldn’t report if traded, although that could be a way for Kiprusoff to keep some control as to where he’s traded and possibly put the wheels in motion on a contract extension.

Even at age 36, Kiprusoff — the Flames franchise’s all-time leader in games played, wins and shutouts — has a body of work that could have clubs clamouring to add him in time for a playoff run.

The 2006 Vezina Trophy winner who played 70 or more games in seven consecutive season and won at least 35 in all of them, has had campaigns that varied from outstanding to spectacular since joining the Flames in 2003. Not this year, though.

Kiprusoff, whose final year of his deal is worth US$1.5 million in salary but with a $5.83 cap hit, is near the bottom of the league with his 3.64 goals-against average and a .868 save percentage.